Fresh medals for champion Richmond swimmer

A Richmond girl has scooped five medals at the national swimming championships in Manchester.

Lily MacLeod, aged 16, the British record holder for the 200 meters freestyle para-swim, scooped four gold medals and one silver at the Para-Nationals in Manchester earlier this month. She is sponsored by her local opticians at Specsavers in Richmond’s King Street.

Swimming from an early age

GCSE student Lily first showed an aptitude for the pool at the tender age of five and went on to win places on the Playground to Podium and World Class Podium Potential programmes for athletes with gold medal-winning potential.

Lily also lives with the condition Rod Achromatopsia, which impairs her vision and causes photophobia (light sensitivity), colour blindness and nystagmus (or ‘wobbling of the eye’).

A word from the store director

Ross Campbell, director of Specsavers in Richmond, said: ‘Congratulations to Lily on another spectacular achievement at the British championships. When Lily’s mum, Judith, got in touch with us last year, we were only too happy to help make sure she has the vital equipment she needs to train and compete.

'It’s wonderful to see a local girl blazing a trail on the national and international stage.’

Lily's mum Judith said: ‘We’re very grateful to British Swimming and Specsavers for their continued support. A lot of people have helped Lily along the way and their backing is absolutely invaluable to her.’

Lily is now working towards the International Paralympic Championships in Sheffield in May and the European championships in Dublin in August.